A prophetic title, “Once” is here to remind us that once in a while, you get a film out of nowhere that surprises you and reminds you the magic of the movies. “Once” tells a story of a street performer, a busker, that communicates to the passing crowd his feelings and despair about the love he once lost. A Czech girl, an immigrant who is selling roses in the street hears him, and expresses her admiration for his voice and his songs. And one of the greatest stories starts to play out in front of the audiences eyes. Their growing bond spoken through song.
life, rather than actors) works very well given the anonymity of the roles they undertake. “Once” could not have worked if lead by the A-list stars. Unassumingly normal, the pair are refreshingly everyday, increasing the relateability factor. Both Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová are subtle, real, and genuine in their understated performances. They easily convince as two friends strengthening their relationship.
Without doubt one of the most delicately beautiful and emotionally uplifting soundtracks of Forces you into contemplation after recent times. you’ve seen it. The dialogue is simple yet effecTwo people, ignored usually by the crowds that pass them by, show tremendous talent not only in singing and playing their instruments but in learning the lessons of love through their songs and lyrics. We never learn either of their names. There is no need to. They are just two people, could just as easily be you and me. We never see them in a soppy love story. Those are for Hollywood, real life is never like that. That just is not how the world works. Instead we see them singing some amazing lyrics to one another and that is enough.
tive, but the majestic is left for the songs which easily dominate the scenes in which they are present. “Once” boasts without doubt one of the most delicately beautiful and emotionally uplifting soundtracks of recent times.
Written and directed by former The Frames lead singer/bassist John Carney, it is clear that Carney has a passion for observation. “Once” steers clear of the intrusive. In a Big Brother obsessed society, Carney has captured the feeling of following a stranger you meet down the street without ever really imposing on their world. His approach feels like a documentary. He is here to remind us that we are watching these people, to “Once” is one of the movies that forces you into listen to them and enjoy their relationship. contemplation after you’ve seen it. Upon watching, the audience will enjoy a very independent The observational documentary effect is only enlittle movie, complete with not so steady camhanced by the camera work. For the majority of era work. As with many films of its ilk, the shaky the film, the hand-held effect is simple yet used screen can be uncomfortable, but persist, the to good effect. However, Carney is to clever to magic of “Once” comes afterwards. Post-film, leave the viewer in a state between reality and when you put all the scenes that you experifiction. The last scene is perfectly executed. enced together, you form a beautiful story, told in Using a crane, the camera ‘flies away from the the most interesting way. scene providing an ending so complete, yet so full of craving to find out what became of our fic“Once” could not have worked by tional pair.
the A-list stars.”
Using unknown actors (and I use the term actors lightly – the two leads are in fact musicians in real
“Once” (Icon Home Entertainment) is available on DVD.
41